US embassy cable - 04BRASILIA2803

UNCLAS BRASILIA 002803 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SENSITIVE 
 
PORT-AU-PRINCE FOR AMB. FOLEY 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PREL, PGOV, BR, HA, POL-MIL Issues 
SUBJECT: MIXED CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION TO TRAVEL TO HAITI 
-- REQUEST MEETING WITH U.S. AMBASSADOR 
 
 
1. (SBU) On November 9, Brazilian Federal Deputy Maninha paid 
a courtesy call on Ambassador Danilovich.  Maninha is the 
current president of COPA (Confederation of the Parliaments 
of the Americas), and this week she is leading a seven-member 
delegation (from three countries) on a fact-finding trip to 
Haiti.  She asked our assistance in arranging a meeting with 
Ambassador James Foley. 
 
2. (SBU) Deputada Maninha is a good friend and contact of the 
US embassy here.  She has traveled to the US on 
embassy-sponsored programs, and she is currently the 
Vice-Chair of the Brazilian Chamber's Foreign Affairs 
Committee.  As current president of COPA, she is leading a 
seven-member delegation to Haiti in order to report back to 
the Brazilian Congress and COPA on the state of affairs 
there.  She requests a meeting with Ambassador Foley or the 
DCM, and we support her request. 
 
3. (SBU) Delegation members are: 
 
1- Federal Deputy Maninha, Brazil 
2- Representative Charlotte L'Ecuyer, Canada 
3- Mr. Jopel Monsils, Assistant to Rep. L'Ecuyer 
4- Federal Deputy Fernando Gabeira, Brazil. 
5- Federal Deputy Clair Flora Martins, Brazil 
6- Mr. Joelson Dias, Assistant to Dep. Maninha 
7- Sra. Jannette Madriz, Venezuela. 
 
4. (SBU) We understand that the delegation will be in Haiti 
during November 12-15.  We apologize for the short notice. 
Post would greatly appreciate if Embassy Port-au-Prince could 
meet with Maninha's delegation at your convenience.  Due to 
the short notice, you can respond by contacting the Brazilian 
Embassy in Port-au-Prince; or contacting Embassy Brasilia 
(Poloff Richard Reiter at work: 55-61-312-7343, cel: 
55-61-9982-1904; or Pol Asst Barbara Ramos at work: 
55-61-312-7075), or Deputy Maninha's office (Ms. Inae at 
work: 55-61-915-1952, or cel: 8118-3310). 
 
5. (SBU) Biographical Note: 
- Dep. Maninha (pronounced "ma-NEEN-ya") is a Federal Deputy 
from President Lula's Workers' Party (PT); she represents the 
Federal District of Brasilia.  A physician by background, 
this is her first term in the federal Congress after two 
terms in the state assembly.  As a member, and now 
Vice-Chair, of the Foreign Affairs Committee, she has been 
active in discussions on free trade and Haiti.  She comes 
from the Workers' Party's left-wing but is a reasonable 
interlocutor regarding US foreign policy issues.  She 
understands English but speaks it only haltingly. 
 
- Dep. Fernando Gabeira is a more complicated case.  As a 
leftist journalist in 1969 opposed to the military regime, he 
was part of a group that kidnapped US Ambassador to Brazil, 
Charles Elbrick.  Gabeira released Elbrick after three days, 
in return for the regime's releasing a dozen political 
prisoners.  Gabeira is now a respected Federal Deputy who 
founded Brazil's Green Party and later joined Lula's Workers' 
Party.  He is currently "without party".  Because of the 
kidnapping, Gabeira is ineligible to receive a US visa, and 
US ambassadors here have chosen not to meet with him 
formally, though there are occasional informal conversations. 
 (NOTE:  Dep. Maninha told us that her group would be 
"understanding" if Amb. Foley chooses not to meet with Dep. 
Gabeira.)  While Gabeira is serious in conversation and his 
views are respected in the Brazilian Congress, given the 
context, post suggests that he not be included in Embassy 
Port-au-Prince meetings with this delegation. 
DANILOVICH